Comments on Andy Hadfield presents...: Why are South African businesses scared of Social ...

Now if BrandsEye were doing what they say they can...

2008-05-21T13:15:13.116+02:00

Now if BrandsEye were doing what they say they can, they'd pick up the little positive reference I left them, wouldn't they?

Poke poke.

Yes have heard of BrandsEye - it looks good but st...

2008-05-20T13:30:23.924+02:00

Yes have heard of BrandsEye - it looks good but still possibly out of reach of some budget-wise.
Re: the SMPR - feedback was good and we've taken any crit on board. Difficult still in terms of measurability but we've picked up mentions using the standard 'free' tools and responded appropriately.
Yep - in Jozi, we'll make a plan :)

@melissa Yup. Gotta keep the heads down. Quirk's B...

2008-05-20T07:20:52.493+02:00

@melissa Yup. Gotta keep the heads down. Quirk's BrandsEye product seems to be a really nice way of measuring "chatter". Although how to leverage that becomes that stuff of some strategic nouse. You heard of it?

I'd personally be interested in results of your Standard Bank Social Media Press Release... Exactly how measurable it is. Are you in Jozi? Should do coffee.

@marc Nail on the head there mate. Social Networki...

2008-05-20T07:19:05.653+02:00

@marc Nail on the head there mate. Social Networking is kinda like the soapbox of the middle ages. People preaching evangelism. The information just moves around quicker.

It does take a special skill, and considered approach to make these kind of projects work in the enterprise.

I must say though, in my experience, and we've got a pretty successful web 2 app in at Deloittes. Doesn't really fit into the social networking model - but borders on it with flow of information and notifications as a strategy to create stickiness.... The thing which really turned on 3500 accountants and auditors was the speed of communication. It bred excitement which boosted usage.

Case study is here if you're interested...

http://www.socialtext.net/cases2/index.cgi?deloitte_southern_africa_employee_engagement

Nice Post Andy. I've got to say I agree with your ...

2008-05-18T14:11:47.091+02:00

Nice Post Andy. I've got to say I agree with your point on niche social networking - big fan. What I think some companies are doing is putting their 'big toe in the water' with the existing social networks in order to test the outcomes and make decisions.

It is frustrating to come up against the issues you address but all it takes is some forward thinking brands to really turn perceptions around - they're out there and will prove to be great case studies.

It's about realising that customers are chatting about brands anyway so in my opinion why not give them a 'place to boogie' where they can share collective opinions and generate valuable positive and negative brand feedback.

We'll keep on plugging at it - I'm positive :)

Think we are saying the same thing... well sort of...

2008-05-16T21:14:50.978+02:00

Think we are saying the same thing... well sort of

I live off on-line publishing so not a bad experience.... Hahaha I HAVE to commercialise it to put $$$ in my bank each month

I said it a while back on this whole blog awards things - lots of talk and very little in the way of measurable results.

Your question is "Why are South African Businesses scared of Social Networking" - my answer is that it is because the majority of it is pie in the sky. "Social Networking" isn't going to help you sell more product or gain lots of new customers. One or 2 campaigns maybe but the majority will flop.

I know of at least 2 instances where some of the "Big name" celebrity bloggers have come into organisations with all the web skills and know how and done bugger all to the bottom line. They talk a good game but they're not marketing or business people and personally I believe that some of these bloggers must stop believing their own hype - they'll get found out when business turns bad.

The flip side of this is that there are a couple of guys with a lot of know how who put their stuff down, sort out a real goal and produce the goods with their online campaigns.

The platform has plenty of merit and commercial value but personal opinion is that "Social Networking" is just a buzzword and that anyone who comes into an office promoting "Social Networking" as a way to boost your business should be dropkicked into touch....

Its not a new concept - Social Networking has been around for ever. It comes down to who you know and how you build the commercial relationship with them.

Tend to disagree Mark. If anything, the web in gen...

2008-05-16T18:39:32.303+02:00

Tend to disagree Mark. If anything, the web in general is the most measurable of all mediums - far more so than the millions of rands clients waste of above the line promotion.

I think there is a problem where young "web entrepreneurs" smooth talk the ideas and fall down on implementation - but any immature industry would have this issue. This will improve as more successful campaigns are talked about.

Finally, I think it's important to separate SEO and other watchmacallthems from carefully thought out collaboration or web application strategies. SEO has a particularly bad name. It's slightly intangible and full of excuses. My opinion.

The Stormhoek Wine Farm case study? Lots of money in the bank. Our architectural network? Very successful in terms of opening channels for sales reps and consultants to pursue.

I'm sure there are many other case studies - just have to dig a bit.

The trick, as always, is in the implementation and delivery.

I'm curious. Your views - because of a bad experience or never really believed in the commercialisation of the platform?

Personal opinion is because its not measurable and...

2008-05-16T17:22:50.343+02:00

Personal opinion is because its not measurable and it doesn't deliver and most of the Web 2.0 geeks talk a good game and talk theory...

Unfortunately theory doesn't put the bucks in the bank.

Social networking is great for building networks of potential customers but there are very few campaigns that translate into real money. These SEO consultants, web gurus and on-line whatchmacallits talk great strategy but they sure as hell don't put money in the clients bank account....